Pingshan Cotton Walnuts

Pingshan Cotton Walnuts

Pingshan Cotton Walnuts is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Distinctive Qualities

　　　　“Pingshan Cotton Walnuts” are known for their uniformly sized kernels, smooth and glossy shells, plump and tasty nutmeats, as well as high kernel yield and oil extraction rates

　　Pingshan Cotton Walnuts are a specialty of Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. These walnuts have long enjoyed a prestigious reputation both domestically and internationally. Their size is uniform, the shells are glossy in color, and the nutmeats are full and delicious, offering many advantages over regular walnuts. The “cotton” in Cotton Walnuts is used in contrast to “shell” walnuts, much like how we refer to cotton-padded coats versus lined coats. Simply put, varieties from which you can easily extract a whole or half nutmeat are called Cotton Walnuts.

　　Pingshan County has a developed agricultural sector, abundant natural resources, and rich tourism offerings. Its long and storied history gives the county a strong cultural charm. As ancient as its history is the widely renowned award-winning dried fruit — Pingshan Cotton Walnuts. These walnuts have been cultivated in Pingshan County for a long time and are widely distributed, with a history of over a thousand years. Due to their strong resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stress, they have become a beloved local tree species.

　　Pingshan Cotton Walnuts are long reputed both domestically and internationally for their uniform size, glossy shells, and plump, delicious nutmeats, offering many advantages over common walnuts. Cotton Walnuts are in contrast to Shell Walnuts, with the term “cotton” being used similarly to how we distinguish between cotton-padded and lined coats. In short, varieties that allow easy extraction of whole or half nutmeats are classified as Cotton Walnuts.

　　Shell Walnuts typically have an oil yield of only about 30–40%, and their shells are very difficult to crack, often requiring picking with a needle to eat. In contrast, Cotton Walnuts are larger in size, better in color, higher in kernel yield (reaching 50–60%), and allow for the extraction of whole or half nutmeats. Their oil content can exceed 80%. They are also richer in nutrients and offer a superior taste.

　　Pingshan County has 359,000 mu of walnut cultivation area, including an 1,800-mu green walnut central demonstration base, six 1,000-mu standardized green walnut demonstration bases, and ten science and technology demonstration villages with walnuts as the leading industry. The standardized green walnut production techniques have been extended to 105,000 mu, with improved varieties covering 98.1% of the area. Nowadays, walnuts have become the county’s premier “characteristic industry for enriching the people.” Pingshan County has been named the “Hometown of Chinese Walnuts” by the China Economic Forest Association. Pingshan Cotton Walnuts have won the gold award twice, ranking first in the province in terms of per capita number of trees, cultivation area, yield, and income.

　　Pingshan Cotton Walnuts is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　The geographical indication area for Pingshan Cotton Walnuts includes the following regions in Pingshan County: Pingshan Town, Donghuishè Town, Wentang Town, Nandian Town, Gangnan Town, Guyue Town, Xiahua Town, Mengjiazhuang Town, Xiaojué Town, Jiaotanzhuang Town, Xibaipo Town, Xiakou Town, Dongwangwu Township, Shangsanji Township, Lianghe Township, Dongwangpo Township, Sujiazuang Township, Zhaibei Township, Beiyeh Township, Shangguanyintang Township, Yangjiaqiao Township, Yingli Township, and Hehekou Township.